Daddy says we have a very good security system at our house.

Of course, it’s Norman, Ellie and me.

Anything that moves or squawks has to answer to 300 pounds of scary and loud joy.

Hey, Gracie Gurley here with Tale #13.

The other morning, while we were sleeping and it was still dark outside, we all popped our heads up.

Something was on the deck. 

Daddy heard… nothing. 

Momma knew something was up, but just pulled the covers over her head. Here’s another chase of wild gooses is what I think she was thinking.

Why do humans always think we’re overreacting?

Until we’re not.

Then we heard it again. 

Plop, plop, plop. 

Whatever was plopping was in for a big surprise. 

Momma let us out and things went all cattywampus. By the time Momma came out we were already playing nice with our new friend. 

It was fun twirling it around in our mouths. Ellie even threw it up in the air, but I think that was by mistake. 

Norman stole it from me and was about to take it inside as a gift for Daddy. 

But then Momma threw a towel over our tiny little buddy.

She thought it was a frog.

Until she took the towel off.

Frogs don’t have wings (but I think pigs do).

Then Daddy heard Momma scream… 

“BAT.”

Everything stopped. 

Momma said: “We have to get it tested!”

Tested? For what? It didn’t taste that bad to me. 

Then we heard Daddy say “Rabies.” 

I’ve never seen a good time go away so fast. 

Daddy made phone calls.

There was waiting.

There was worrying.

The three of us mostly wondered why breakfast was taking so long.

A few days later the good times were back. That little bat didn’t have rabies. 

Daddy always tells us not to bark unless something is wrong. We try really hard, but sometimes we bark just because something is different.

A new smell.

A strange sound.

A new friend that wasn’t there yesterday.

Most of the time, it’s nothing.

But every once in a while…

…it’s a bat.

I don’t think we’ve been thanked for helping with the bat, but that’s ok… it’s our job.

Related Tales from Gracie

Tale #4: Coyote poop. A strange discovery on a walk has Gracie teaching Daddy a thing or two about coyotes, poop and paying attention.

Tale #15: Why do humans hate moles? One tiny mole turns Daddy into a big-game hunter while Gracie tries to figure out what all the fuss is about.